A little more conversation.
Stoney Rise Cellar Door makes more from less. We found flexibility within a small, exposed footprint. The material palette is minimal, yet rich. And built sustainably, we reduced the environmental impact, too.
Of course, some aspects weren’t limited at all. The views, for example. On palawa land, Stoney Rise looks beyond grape vines to Tasmania’s Kanamaluka/Tamar River beyond. Our clients, Lou and Joe Holyman, wanted to separate the cellar door from their family residence, and create an adaptable space to suit wine tastings, dinners and different kinds of gatherings.
A smaller budget didn’t deter us from designing with legacy in mind. We spent wisely on quality, enduring materials to minimise both long-term cost and environmental impact. And, just like a fine wine, we carefully chose materials that would only improve with age.
Faces. Landscape.
As you approach Stoney Rise, the building unfolds. Operating in the round, it welcomes you with different faces to the landscape, depending on your perspective. The site is notoriously windy, so as you enter the building, you’re sheltered and enveloped by protective timber, tucking you away from the views. It’s only as you enter the cellar door that the landscape is revealed again. Emphasised by dark recessive framing, you see eastern views of kanamaluka, and western views of Trousseau grapes.
From the absence of a blackboard to an acoustic panelled ceiling, our design encourages conversation. A big, strategically placed conversation counter allows groups to gather and chat to the vineyard owners as they first enter, and enables the cellar door to operate with minimal staff members for most of the year.
Small footprint flexibility.
Even with a small footprint, there are plenty of different spaces within Stoney Rise. Balancing indoor-outdoor space and a sunny spot out of the wind was an important part of our design. Brick edges, plinths and an outdoor fireplace offer space to gather around. Our cellar door design prompts you to stay a little longer and have another glass on the grass, or hang your legs on the edge of the terrace.
We also fitted a commercial kitchen to allow Stoney Rise to adapt into a pop-up restaurant by night. Though stocked with only the bare essentials, the kitchen allows Stoney Rise to host evenings with celebrated chefs.
